Cleaning implement with swivel-mounted head



April 21, 1970 M. J. BRENNAN 3,505,996

v CLEANING IMPLEMENT WITH SWIVEL-MOUNTED HEAD Filed July s, 1968 5 FIGBFIG.4

United States Patent C) U.S. Cl. -144 5 Claims ABSTRACT OF THEDISCLOSURE A push broom having a handle and an elongate head removablymounted on a pivot pin at one end of the handle to permit swingingmovement of the head about an axis at an angle to the handle, and atension spring interconnecting the head and the handle for biasing thehead to a position at right angles to the handle on pivoting the head ineither direction away from the right angle position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to cleaningimplements, and more particularly to a floor cleaning implement such asa push broom, mop, applicator, or the like. There have been a number ofproblems attendant upon conventional designs of such implements Iwhichhave been on the market. For example, as to a conventional push broom,in which the head is rigidly mounted at the end of the handle, the broomis diflicult or impossible to use when it is desired to clean under lowobjects (e.g., furniture, machinery, etc.), in corners, around obstaclesand in close quarters. In many instances, it is impossible or awkward toplace the full Width of the head squarely against a wall or the like, asis frequently desired. Another problem is that present designs are proneto breakage if the implement is handled roughly or if the head strikesan immovable object with considerable force, breakage occurring becausethe 'construction of such implements is relatively unyielding, the headbeing rigidly connected to the handle, usually simply by the handlebeing doweled or threaded into a hole in the head.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the several objects of the invention maybe noted the provision of a cleaning implement which may be used toclean under low objects, in corners and in close quarters; which is notprone to breakage in use even when handled roughly; and which isinexpensively and simply constructed.

Briefly, a cleaning implement made in accordance with this inventioncomprises a handle, and a cleaning instrumentality having a head, e.g.,a push broom brush having a head centrally pivoted at one end of thehandle so that it may swing about an axis at an angle to the handle. Aspring interconnected between the handle and the head biases the head toa position generally at right angles to the handle if the head ispivoted in either direction away from that position. Other objects andfeatures will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 s a View in perspective of acleaning implement of this invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the FIG. 1 implement, showing swinging movementof the handle in dotted lines;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary section taken on line 3-3 of FIG. 2; and

3,506,996 Patented Apr. 21, 1970 lCC DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERREDEMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings, there is indicated generally at 1a cleaning implement of this invention, more particularly a push broom.The handle of the broom is designated 3. A brush indicated generally at5 comprises an elongate head 7 and bristles 9. While a brush is shown inthe drawings, it should be understood that the present invention is notlimited to a push broom and that other types of cleaninginstrumentalities, e.g., a mop, polisher, or applicator, may be employedin place of the brush. The head 7 and the handle 3, as shown, are ofwood, although other suitable materials may be used. The head iscentrally pivoted to one end of the handle by means of a pivot pin 11|which extends at an angle of approximately 45 from the end of handle 3.The head is rotatably and removably socketed with respect to pivot pin11, having a hole 13 drilled therethrough receiving the pin. The pivotpin, which extends into a hole 14 in the handle, and is preferably ofaluminum, is secured to the handle by means of a bolt 15 which extendsthrough holes drilled through the handle and the pivot pin.

A tension spring 17 interconnected between the handle and the head holdsthe head in place on the pivot pin. The spring is connected at one endto screw eye 19 at a point in the plane defined by handle 3 and pivotpin 11. The other end is connected generally at the center of the headby means of a wire eye member 21. The latter has a straight portion 21aspaced from the head which extends generally parallel to the axis ofpivot pin 11. Legs 2lb extend down from the ends of the first portiontoward the head. Feet 21C extend from legs 2lb generally parallelyoutward in opposite directions at angles to portion 21a. Each foot 21ehas a hooked end 21d engaging the head for afiixing the eye member tothe head and is secured to the head by screws 23.

The spring 17 tends to maintain the head 7 in the position shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 generally at right angles to the handle. If the head ispivoted in either direction away from this position, the tension of thespring y17 is increased to bias head 7 back to the original positiongenerally at right angles to the handle. Pivoting of the head in eitherdirection has the effect of changing the angle between the handle andthe head because the pivotal axis is at an angle to the longitudinalaxis ofthe handle. This is best shown in FIG. 2 in which the dotted linepositions of the handle show the handle moved with respect to the headas the effect of pivoting the head on pivot pin 11. The result ofpivoting or rotation of the head, therefore, is to change the anglebetween the head and the handle. This permits the head to be used in acorner or in restricted spaces since the angle between the head and thehandle will change as required. When the angle between the longitudinalaxes of the head and the handle is 45, the handle Will be parallel tothe floor without disturbing the even contact of bristles 9 or othercleaning surface (such as a wax or paint application sponge) with thefloor therefore permitting the implement to be used under objects havinga clearance even as low as portion 21a of eye member 21.

Because the head may pivot freely about pivot pin 11 subject only to thebias of spring 17,` the implement is far less likely to be damaged byrough handling or by striking objects than constructions of the priorart.

An important feature of the implement is that the head is reversiblymounted to permit the head to be easily` removed, reversed, or replaced.Thus, after the bristles 9 (or other Wearing surface) become Worn orbent from constant pushing on the implement, it may be desired toreverse the head in order to permit the other side of the Wearingsurface to be exposed, thus prolonging the useful life of the implement.Accordingly, one or both ends of spring 17 are readily disconnectable.In addition, opening 13 extends through head 7 to provide openings onopposite sides of the head. Thus, spring 17 may be readily disconnectedat one end and the head reversed. Eye member 21 is symmetrical so thatwhen the head is reversed, the length of spring 17 will not be changed.

If it is desired to positively prevent the head from being pulled off ofthe pivot pin in spite of spring 17, then a screw such as the knurledthumbscrew 2S shown in FIG. 4 may be threaded into the end of pivot pin11. The thumbscrew is easily removed to allow the head to be removed andreversed.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above constructions Withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended that allmatter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

What is claimed is:

1. A cleaning implement comprising a handle, a cleaning instrumentalityhaving an elongate head centrally pivoted at one end of the handle forswinging movement about an axis at an angle to the handle, and a springinterconnected between the handle and the head biasing the head to aposition generally at right angles to the handle on pivoting the head ineither direction away from said position, said spring being a tensionspring connected at one end to Vthe handle and at its other endgenerally at the center of the head, the head being removably socketedwith respect to the pivot and the spring removably holding the head inplace, the handle having a pivot pin extending at an angle from said endof the handle, and the head having an opening receiving the pivot.

2. A cleaning implement as set forth in claim 1 wherein the head hasopenings on opposite sides thereof each adapted to receive the pivot pinfor reversible mounting of the head.

3. A cleaning implement as set forth in claim 2 Wherein the spring isconnected to the handle at a. point in the plane defined by the handleand the pivot.

4. A cleaning implement as set forth in claim 3 Wherein one end of thespring is readily disconnectable.

5. A cleaning implement as set forth in claim 4 wherein the end of thespring connected to the head is connected by means of a wire eye member,the latter having a first portion spaced from the head and extendinggenerally parallel to said axis; a pair 0f legs extending down from theends of the first portion toward the head; and feet extending from thelegs generally parallely outward in opposite directions at angles to thefirst portion, each foot having a hooked end engaging the head for axingthe eye member to the head.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 706,144 8/1902 Young 306-20716,161 12/1902 vWinstanley 306--20 1,161,179 11/1915 Wolhaupter 306-201,538,145 5/1925 Sturgis 306-3 2,171,444 8/1939 Frank 15--172 XR2,707,293 5/1955 Ferrer 15-144 XR 2,817,107 12/1957 Zellinger 15-1443,129,970 4/1964 St. John 15-144 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 1,029,271' 3/ 1953France.

DANIEL BLUM, Primary Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 15-145; 306-3, 20

